Abstract: A harvesting system for harvesting stalky plants is mountable on a power unit such as an agricultural or construction tractor having hydraulic power and/or a power takeoff (PTO). The system includes at least a reel-based harvesting head configured to cut off at least the tops of the plants and to transport the cut plants laterally of the harvesting system without threshing or otherwise processing the plants. The harvesting head may be mounted on, for example, an upper lift arm assembly or a three-point hitch mechanism of the power unit. If the harvesting head is mounted on the upper lift arm assembly of an agricultural tractor, a second harvesting head may be mountable on the tractor's three-point hitch mechanism beneath the first harvesting head for cutting stalks near their base, gathering the cut stalks, and windrowing the cut stalks behind the second harvesting head.

Abstract: An agricultural machine header which can be coupled to and uncoupled from a harvesting machine The header includes a frame having with a plurality of adjustable supports for coupling with at lest two row divider sets. The header further includes at least one pair of base cutting discs and at least one knock-down roller. The header supports the base cutting discs in an adjustable and flexible way that allows them to be adjusted according to conditions and characteristics of crop to be harvested.

Abstract: A method for creating a narrow row head unit which may include a back plate secured to a left gearbox and a right gearbox, and which gearboxes may be positioned adjacent one another. Each gearbox may provide rotational power to a pair of stalk rolls and a drive sprocket for a gathering chain. A right mounting tab may be secured to the back plate and the right gearbox, and a left mounting tab may be secured to the back plate and left gearbox. A right plate and leg may extend outward from the back plate adjacent the right mounting tab and a left plate and leg may extend outward from the back plate adjacent the left mounting tab. A narrow row head unit positioned left-of-center on a header may have the gathering chain positioned substantially over the right plate, and right-of-center substantially over the left plate.

Abstract: A method of operating an industrial machine. The method including controlling, via a controller, a movable component of the industrial machine based on a first signal received from an operator control and controlling, via the controller, the movable component of the industrial machine according to an autonomous operation in response to a second signal. The method further including adjusting the autonomous operation to generate an adjusted autonomous operation in response to receiving a third signal from the operator control and controlling, via the controller, the movable component of the industrial machine according to the adjusted autonomous operation in response to receiving a fourth signal.

Abstract: A set of conveyor rollers for use in agricultural machines, especially those of the stalk and tall plants harvester type, including front elements arranged in an independent front platform. The conveyor roller set includes a front aperture (6) for receiving the harvested material (MC) from a platform (P), the set including at least one upper roller (20a) and at least one lower roller (20b) disposed in the platform (A), wherein the upper conveyor roller (20a?) has a diameter (D) greater than the diameter (d) of the lower conveyor roller (20b).

Abstract: A header for a harvesting machine. The header includes at least two row dividers spaced from one another in a transversal direction and at a predetermined distance, at least one roller, a driving for driving the roller comprising multiple projections, at least two base cutting discs, a driver for driving the at least two base cutting discs, one roller positioned behind the at least two base cutting discs to raise the cut plants, and at least one conveyor roller positioned above the said roller to raise plants, to transport the cut plants to the inside of a harvesting machine. The at least one roller includes multiple projections to collect and direct the plants downwards and towards the opening. The foregoing elements form an assembly mounted on a structure that may be connected to a harvesting machine.

Abstract: Measuring lateral separation distances and longitudinal separation distances from a center of a plant to be cut to a reference point on a harvester; determining a lateral and longitudinal blade displacement and moving a cutting tool; activating a cut and lift mechanism to cut a plant with the cutting tool; while the cutting tool remains in contact with the plant, removing an outer leaf from the cut plant.

Abstract: A support frame; a cut and lift mechanism coupled to the support frame; a tool carrying platform coupled to the cut and lift mechanism; an outer leaf removal device coupled to the tool carrying platform; a cutting tool coupled to the tool carrying platform; a controller in data communication with the cut and lift robot; and a plant center locator in data communication with the controller.

Abstract: A basecutter assembly for a sugarcane harvester comprises a first cutter, a second cutter, a first feeder, a second feeder, a cutter drive, and a feed drive. The first and second cutters are adapted to sever sugarcane stalk. The first and second feeders are adapted to feed the severed sugarcane stalk. The cutter drive is coupled to the first cutter and the second cutter to rotate the first cutter and the second cutter respectively about the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis. The feed drive is coupled to the first feeder and the second feeder to rotate the first feeder and the second feeder respectively about the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis. The basecutter assembly may comprise a variator. According to another aspect, the basecutter assembly may comprise a planetary gear set.

Abstract: A compression thrower for a sugarcane harvester having a receptacle for receiving sugarcane. The compression thrower includes a first belt configured to receive sugarcane from the receptacle. A compression device is configured to compress sugarcane into a mat of sugarcane against a second belt adjacent the compression device. The second belt is configured to propel the mat of sugarcane from the sugarcane harvester to a target location.

Abstract: An extractor for use with a sugarcane harvester comprises a fan and a hood. The fan is configured to rotate about a fan axis for inducing a cleaning flow of air to separate crop residue from sugarcane billets. The hood is positioned to receive in an interior region of the hood the cleaning flow of air with entrained crop residue from the fan and redirect the cleaning flow of air with entrained crop residue relative to the fan axis to an outlet of the hood to exit from the interior region.

Abstract: The present invention refers to vertical roller devices to assist the supply of stems to sugar cane harvester, which are installed on the front side (A) of the harvester, fastened to the row dividers and which work in pairs, with elements on the right and on the left, which can consist of one or more pairs. The devices are designed to continuously propel and to guide the sugar cane stems to the inside of the harvester. The devices with vertical rollers (6) are formed by hydraulic motors (6a), finned cylinders (6b), upper fixing support members (6c) and lower fixing support members (6d). In the case of a single row, the devices are installed in the harvesters in accordance with to (B) and, in the case of two or more rows, in accordance with (C) on the inner faces (2) of the row dividers.

Abstract: A multiple row sugar cane harvester having automatic and independent control of multiple base cutters utilized to severe sugar cane stalks in adjacent rows. Position sensors sense the height of the base cutters relative to the chassis of the sugar cane harvester and feed the signals to a controller for adjusting the height to a preselected level. The base cutters are individually driven by hydraulic motors through individual hydraulic circuits and the operating pressure is sensed and fed to the controller for determining whether a choke condition exists. A load sensor is incorporated between the linkage and the sugar cane harvester chassis for determining whether the base cutters have ground contact to elevate the base cutters.

Abstract: A harvesting header has an outer impeller fixed to an outermost outboard cutter for rotation therewith to convey cut crop material laterally inwardly toward the center of the header. The outer impeller has a lower disc member forming the bottom of an impeller cage and an upper stationary grass ring. An intermediate impeller is located between the axes of rotation of the two outboard cutters, wherein the intermediate cage-like impeller is suspended on the harvesting header above the cutting plane and not fixed to any of the cutters and rotates in the same direction as the outboard impeller. The outboard and intermediate impellers have a plurality of crop conveying discs, wherein the crop conveying discs on the outboard impeller are offset vertically and overlap horizontally with the crop conveying discs on the intermediate impeller to form an intermeshing region between the two impellers.

Abstract: A cutting system for a harvester, the cutting system including a knockdown roller, at least two row dividers, at least two base cutting elements, and at least two inner base cutting discs. Each of the at least two base cutting elements is disposed in the structure of a respective one of the at least two row dividers. Each of the at least two inner base cutting discs is disposed behind the knockdown roller. The cutting system further includes two arms and a lifter roller. Each of the two base cutting elements is connected to a respective one of the two row dividers by a respective one of the two arms. Each of the two base cutting elements is positioned entirely forward of the knockdown roller and the lifter roller.

Abstract: A two-stage harvesting system including a first stage harvesting apparatus and a second stage harvesting apparatus. The first stage harvesting apparatus takes a first crop portion from an agricultural crop leaving a second crop portion in a field. The second stage harvesting apparatus takes the second crop portion. The first stage harvesting apparatus and the second stage harvesting apparatus are connected together.

Abstract: A harvesting system and method providing a row insensitive plant cutting and gathering capability, suitable for harvesting tall, stalky plants such as sweet sorghum, cane, and the like, in high volume, which also billet cuts the harvested plants. Multiple plants are cut simultaneously on a continuous basis at any locations across a header of the system, and the cut plants are gathered into a continuous overlapping flow having a vertical extent or thickness of several stalks or canes and their associated foliage. The flow is then vertically compacted into a mat of reduced thickness while being conveyed into a billet cutter, which cuts the stalks or canes into billets of a desired length and discharges the billets to a desired location, all while the harvester is moving through a field harvesting. The system can be incorporated into a conventional sugarcane harvester in place of conventional base cutters and row dividers.

Abstract: A harvesting system and method providing a row insensitive plant cutting and gathering capability, suitable for harvesting tall, stalky plants such as sweet sorghum, cane, and the like, in high volume, which also billet cuts the harvested plants. Multiple plants are cut simultaneously on a continuous basis at any locations across a header of the system, and the cut plants are gathered into a continuous overlapping flow having a vertical extent or thickness of several stalks or canes and their associated foliage. The flow is then vertically compacted into a mat of reduced thickness while being conveyed into a billet cutter, which cuts the stalks or canes into billets of a desired length and discharges the billets to a desired location, all while the harvester is moving through a field harvesting. The system can be incorporated into a conventional sugarcane harvester in place of conventional base cutters and row dividers.

Abstract: Sugar cane stalks are conveyed along a path passing between upper and lower chopper drums equipped with chopper blades extending lengthwise of the drums and located so that blades of one drum intermesh with those of the other so as to cut the cane stalks into billets. The cutting diameter of the blades of the upper chopper drum is greater than that of the blades carried by the lower blade resulting in the peripheral speed of the upper chopper drum being greater than that of the lower chopper drum. The cutting edge of each of the blades is defined at one side by a compound bevel with the blades being disposed on the drums so that they overlap and mesh bevel-to-bevel. The compound bevels are chosen so as to both satisfy the requirement that the blades be self-sharpening and have close to a zero timing angle.

Abstract: A control system for a mobile excavation machine is disclosed. The control system may include a ground engaging work tool, a sensor, and a controller. The sensor may be configured to sense a parameter indicative of a current travel speed of the mobile excavation machine and generate a speed signal in response thereto. The controller may be in communication with the ground engaging work tool and the sensor, and configured to receive the signal. The controller may also be configured to determine a cutting depth of the ground engaging work tool into a material and calculate a current productivity value associated with removal of the material based on the speed signal and the determined cutting depth. The controller may be further configured to control the ground engaging work tool to vary the amount of material currently being removed in response to the current productivity value.

Abstract: A ground engaging work vehicle including a frame, a plurality of tractive elements, a movable extension, a hydraulic fluid using attachment, a hydraulic fluid pump and an accumulator. The plurality of tractive elements are coupled to the frame. The tractive elements engage the ground. The movable extension is connected to the frame. The hydraulic fluid using attachment is coupled to the movable extension. The hydraulic fluid pump is selectively fluidly coupled to the attachment. The accumulator is selectively fluidly coupled to the attachment dependent upon at least one fluid flow requirement of the attachment.

Abstract: A method for collecting biomass, such as straw, and for producing a pyrolysis liquid, such as oil or tar, from the biomass, includes the step of collecting the biomass from a growth site, e.g. a field, by means of a mobile unit. The biomass is continuously fed into a pyrolysis apparatus accommodated by the mobile unit, as the mobile unit is moved across the growth site. While the biomass is processed in the pyrolysis apparatus, further biomass is simultaneously being collected. The pyrolysis apparatus may be a flash pyrolysis or fast pyrolysis apparatus relying on centrifugal forces for forcing biomass towards a reactive surface in a pyrolysis reactor. The mobile unit may be self-propelled.

Abstract: A cutting assembly having a first member in the form of three paddles, each paddle comprising a planar main body portion and a pair of leg members attached to a first tubular rotating shaft. A blade member is provided which is substantially U-shaped and has a pair of leg portions and an interconnecting portion which comprises the cutting blade. The leg portions are attached to a second rotating shaft which sits within the first shaft and rotates in the opposite directon to the first shaft. When uncut sugarcane is pushed sufficiently into the cutting assembly, the cane will be pushed upwardly by being struck by a paddle and at the same time will be cut into billets by the counter rotating blade member. The billet will then be flung or thrown upwardly by the force of the rotating paddle.

Abstract: A trimmer/edger attached to a conventional lawnmower and using the lawnmower's power source. The edger/trimmer cutting element is attached to the front of the lawnmower. A rotatable cable runs from the cutting element to a contact member attached at an opening on the lawnmower housing. A planar disc is secured to the top of the conventional grass cutting blade. Upon powering up the lawnmower, both the cutting blade and planar disc begin to rotate. Upon squeezing an operating lever, a rotatable portion of the contact member comes in contact with the rotating disc causing the rotatable cable to turn, which in turn causes the cutting head, having cutting strings attached, to spin and be able to be used as an edger or trimmer, depending on its position, at the same time the lawnmower is being used to cut the grass.

Abstract: A system or method for controlling the position of one or more feed rolls in a forage harvester includes at least one fixed feed roll arranged to rotate around a rotation axis which is fixed with respect to a chassis of the harvester, and in cooperation with the at least one fixed feed roll, a movable feed roll arranged to rotate around a rotation axis which is movable towards or away from the corresponding fixed roll. The system includes means for measuring parameters related to the feed rolls, such as the driving force exerted on the rolls, and means for actuating movement of the movable rolls by hydraulic piston/cylinder arrangements, installed in connection with the movable rolls.

Abstract: An improved machine and method for harvesting and processing an upstanding crop, such as celery, in situ, the machine comprising a self driven vehicle supporting a plurality of harvesting and processing units.

Abstract: A harvester for harvesting stalks of sugarcane having a plurality of harvest chambers. Each harvest chamber has a pair of opposing side walls that forming a V-shaped forward opening for receiving sugarcane stalks to be cut for harvest and a plurality of revolving, opposing, resilient conveyor belts for grabbing, holding and feeding the sugarcane stalks through the chambers in a substantially upright position. Each harvest chamber has a plurality of adjustable blowers to selectively direct a high velocity air stream onto the sugarcane stalks to remove unwanted foliage from the sugarcane stalks and a vacuum system to suction unwanted foliage from the harvest chambers to a foliage collection chamber located within the harvester.

Abstract: A self-propelled chopper cane harvester is equipped with a front frame section including opposite sides which are each mounted for pivoting about a respective upright pivot axis. Respectively mounted to the opposite sides of the front frame section are front wheels and row dividers. A steering cylinder is mounted for pivoting the frames to opposite sides of a straight ahead position to thereby effect steering of the front wheels. A topper mechanism is mounted so as to pivot or turn in response to the steering of the harvester.

Abstract: A mower-conditioner includes a header or platform which is equipped with a rotary disc cutter bar having a relatively long length with at least two cutting units being outboard of a central discharge passage where a pair of conditioner rolls are mounted for receiving the cut crop. Aiding in conveying crop to the discharge passage are right- and left-hand sets of three crop converging drums provided at each side of the discharge passage. The outer drums of the two sets are respectively mounted to the top of the right- and left-hand end cutting units of the cutter bar while the other two drums on each side are located behind an inward and rearward extending line that is tangent to the cylindrical path traced by the outer and inner ones of the drums on each side of the discharge passage. In one embodiment, a direct drive transmission is provided, and in a second embodiment a hydraulic motor is provided, for driving the inner two converging drums of each set.

Abstract: A mower-conditioner includes a header or platform which is equipped with a rotary disc cutter bar having a relatively long length with at least two cutting units being outboard of a central discharge passage where a pair of conditioner rolls are mounted for receiving the cut crop. Aiding in conveying crop to the discharge passage are right- and left-hand sets of three crop converging drums provided at each side of the discharge passage. The outer drums of the two sets are respectively mounted to the top of the right- and left-hand end cutting units of the cutter bar while the other two drums on each side are located behind an inward and rearward extending line that is tangent to the cylindrical path traced by the outer and inner ones of the drums on each side of the discharge passage. In one embodiment, a direct drive transmission is provided, and in a second embodiment a hydraulic motor is provided, for driving the inner two converging drums of each set.

Abstract: The corn harvesting unit and the attachment modifications for connection to the threshing unit provide an improved flow of material from the row to the threshed grain in the combine. These modifications of structure and the resultant spatial changes to the variety of the conveying systems used from the row to the grain tank of the combine result in a novel and more efficient harvesting machine. The novel spatial relationship between the powered and the unpowered conveying systems moving in different directions will permit improved flow and flow rate with less plugging while using less power. This invention also provides a smooth uninterrupted flow of material from the row unit to the cross auger, thence through the dead space (energy wise) to the retrieving area of the feeder house. More efficient harvesting at higher speed is possible as the amount of material is lifted through a lesser angle of the inclined plane from ground to thresher unit.

Abstract: A cutting attachment is adapted to be mounted onto a vehicle, such as a skid steer loader, and includes a frame that is generally “V” shaped with diverging walls and open in direction of travel. The diverging walls of the frame support upright shafts. Each of the shafts has a rotating disk on the lower end thereof that has a circular cutting edge. The disks are preferably co-planar and closely adjacent to each other along a center longitudinal axis of the frame, and are not powered. When the disks are moved against standing vegetation with stalks or trunks, they rotate and sever the vegetation. Additionally, a lift plate is provided on the trailing side of the disks so after severing the vegetation the lift plate lifts the trunks of trees or stalks or the like upwardly from the disks. The lift plate is inclined to tend to cause the trees to tilt outwardly. Support arms can be closed to hold the cut tree or other vegetation in the frame until the arms are released.

Abstract: A sugar cane combine harvester having a topper/shredder in advance of a crop divider mechanism with the crop divider aiding in moving sugar cane to a knock down feed roll, base cutters, a feed roll system, a chopping system including a cleaning system, and an elevator system. The chopping system propels cut cane and debris into a cleaning system where the cane and debris are subject to an air stream generated from a single variable speed blower. The cane and debris in a cleaning chamber are forced upwardly into contact with the rear wall of the cleaning chamber set at an angle of 60 to 75 degrees. The lighter debris is forced to continue up and out through a discharge duct and onto the ground behind the harvester. The cane falls by gravity onto a loading platform to be conveyed to a transit vehicle.

Abstract: A sugar cane harvester has a cutting mechanism which utilizes pairs of cutting disks and does not require synchronization of the cutting disks. Each of the cutting disks has a revolving cutter mounted on its circumference. The cutters are formed from saw-toothed, concatenated arcuate segments which are removably mounted on the cutting disks. The arcuate segments of each pair of cooperating cutting disks overlap slightly where the two disks meet and are slightly eccentrically arranged on the cutting disks such that the external boundary line of the circumference of the segments tapers off from a maximum to a minimum.

Abstract: A conventional header of a combine is modified by the addition of a second sickle knife positioned rearwardly of the pan of the header. The second sickle knife is mounted on a bar which is connected to a pair of arms extending under the pan to a forward end pivotally mounted just behind the conventional sickle knife of the header. The arms and the second sickle knife can thus pivot upwardly and downwardly and are mounted on suspension springs carried on the frame of the header. A simple drive from the conventional shaft of the header is connected through a belt to a drive wobble box carried on the second sickle knife at a position partway along its length.

Abstract: A mower conditioner includes a rotary style cutter bed and a pair of laterally extending crop conditioning rolls spaced rearwardly from the cutter bed. Crop flow is improved in the machine by a laterally extending conveying roller located between the cutter bed and the nip defined by the conditioning rolls. In particular, the conveying outer roller serves to lift cut crop up from the cutter bed and convey the crop rearwardly to the nip. This ensures that the cut crop moves in a steady stream from the cutter bed to the conditioning rolls, and thereby reduces the risk of cut crop being thrown forwardly by the cutters. A downwardly open area is preferably defined between the conveying roller and the cutter bed to provide a space through which dirt and debris can drop out of the machine. The conveying roller preferably has a rotational axis that is lower than the rotational axis of the lower conditioning roll and generally vertically aligned with the substantially planar cutting zone defined by the cutter bed.

Abstract: A harvester which uses a rotary style cutter bed has a series of rotary cutters extending across the path of travel of the machine and rotatable about individual upright axes. Part of the cutter bed is a flat gear case containing a train of intermeshed spur gears that serve to distribute power between the cutters above the gear train. Each end of the gear case has a hollow, gearless extension welded thereto which supports at least one additional outboard cutter that receives its driving power exteriorally of the gear case. One embodiment uses a mechanical drive to bring power to the upright shaft of the cutter having the first spur gear so that the cutters with gears receive all their power from the driven cutter.

Abstract: A crop harvester of the rotary cutter bed type has a series of rotary cutters extending across the path of travel of the machine and rotatable about individual upright axes. The cutter bed extends in opposite directions beyond the ends of a central discharge opening to the conditioner rolls. Cutters located outboard of the opening direct cut crop materials along the front of the cutter bed until the opposite extremities of the discharge openings are reached, whereupon pairs of cooperating, oppositely rotating cutters in front of the opening function to propel the crop material rearwardly with the main flow of cut materials. Alternative forms of conveying means are provided in association with the outboard cutters for moving the cut crop centrally without the use of augers or other additional gathering mechanism behind the row of cutters.